Welcome to 19th-century Europe, where strength reigns supreme

"Dalmatia?"

Vittorio was still a little surprised that Germany would actually help get this land, but this was actually helping Italy. Italy was quite happy when it first got this land. It was a free territory. It was very pleasant. Although it was Cavour had some objections to this, but he didn't take it too seriously.

Only now have I discovered that the water in the Balkans is really fucking deep. In just a small area, there can be more than a dozen ethnic groups, and no one is convinced by anyone. There are ethnic conflicts, class conflicts, religious conflicts, etc., all in a mess, especially in Austria. After the army withdrew, it became very chaotic.

The Italian authorities didn't bother to take care of it. They didn't even send a governor there. They left it there to raise insects. There were uprisings everywhere. There weren't many troops on the Italian side. At first they were willing to mediate, but then they simply ignored it. , I love it as much as I want, wouldn’t it be nice to get a piece of land in Africa? There is no need to fight guerrillas with those people here every day.

And the most painful thing is that because of Italy's territorial issue in the Balkans, the Ottoman Empire also wants this land. Italy and the Ottoman Empire have been torturing each other over the years, pecking each other's throats together.

This land has increased Italy's defense spending, and Italy has not received enough economic benefits here, especially after Vittorio decided on the national policy. There are not many resources exploited here, and it is still so difficult to manage. They have long ago I want to be a hands-off shopkeeper.

Now Germany is here to take over, which is a good thing! And it can also have a good relationship with Germany, killing two birds with one stone.

"Dalmatia is a territory that our country fought hard in the war and finally won. If we cannot get corresponding compensation, I am afraid it will be difficult to convince the public at home!"

Vittorio said, Bismarck was stunned when he heard this, "Did you win it?" Will you bark again? You Italians seem to have done nothing except making soy sauce on the battlefield, right? What did you win? Does fighting desperately mean being chased around the world by the Austrian army in Venice?

Bismarck initially hoped that Italy would be able to eliminate at least some of its enemies, but the result was a disastrous outcome. In the end, he had to rely on himself.

But excluding these external factors, do Italians really remember that they own this land? According to information given by the German Ministry of Industry, most of the money given to Italy was used to develop local industry, and there was basically no action in Dalmatia.

Although he said that, Bismarck could definitely get away with nothing, "You are right, Germany will try its best to give Italy some compensation. What do you want?"

"First of all, tell us Germany's purpose. If the German Empire regards Italy as its ally, it should make these matters related to our interests clear. The territorial issue is not a trivial matter. We want to get an exact response from Germany."

For Italy, this matter cannot be concealed. Italy is located on the Apennine Peninsula. If Germany annexes Austria and directly borders Italy, it will definitely cause a strong reaction from Italy. If it is not done from the beginning, If you make things clear, you will definitely encounter a lot of trouble later.

"Germany is going to split the Austro-Hungarian Empire. We have colluded with the Prime Minister of Hungary. Soon Austria and Hungary will be completely split, and Germany will annex Austria and establish the Greater German Empire. By then, the German region will be completely unified. According to the The current situation is that if this happens, Hungary will become a landlocked country. They don’t want this to happen, so they hope to get Dalmatia back and gain access to the Mediterranean.”

"Germany wants to annex Austria? This is simply unheard of. You didn't discuss this matter with Italy?"

Vittorio was stunned. He had never considered that the huge Austrian Empire and the Habsburg dynasty would one day be annexed by other countries.

"Isn't this normal? August was crowned the German emperor, and Austrians are also Germans. Since they are Germans, they should stay in the German Empire. The German Empire is not Prussia or Austria, but the German nation. Empire, and aren’t we discussing it with you now? But in fact, there is no need to discuss it. The unification of Germany is an inevitable trend, and no one can stop it, not even you or me."

"Really?" Vittorio knew that he had no right to refuse. He asked Bismarck to stay in the palace for a few days. He had to hold several meetings to discuss with his people what price to offer.

Vittorio gathered all the important people in the cabinet, including Italian Prime Minister Giovanni Lanza, Prime Minister Lamarmola, Finance Minister Sala, and other important officials.

Lamarmola was a little dissatisfied with this matter. Germany did not notify Italy immediately. Now it told Italy halfway through the plan that they did not take Italy seriously at all. If Hungary did not want Italian Dalmatia, Maybe the Italians wouldn't know about it until the news of the Anschluss reached Rome.

Germany is too dangerous to place such a powerful country next to Italy. The reason why Italy is confident is because Germany does not border Italy. Germany still has interests in Italy, but if it borders, if Germany thinks Italy is too troublesome, just What about another German-Italian merger?

Lamarmora asked, "Your Majesty, can we refuse?"

Before the king could speak, Sara said, "I'm afraid we can't refuse. If Germany stops aid to Italy, we will be in trouble. With only the Italian government's tax revenue, at least one-third of the projects started will have to be stopped. Moreover, once the German technical personnel leave, half of the remaining two-thirds of the project will have to be stopped. This cost is too high, and Germany has raised its loan limit to Italy this year."

Italy has just been unified and has nothing. The training of technical personnel requires time and money, and engineering requires workers. Italy itself has a small population. It is currently in its golden period of development. If the capital chain is broken at this time, it will be the end of the world. .

Vittorio said, "Since we have decided to give it, we still have room to ask for a price. We can still try our best to get some compensation from Germany."

Giovanni said, "Your Majesty, I have an idea. Since Germany wants to achieve the merger of Germany and Austria, let's also take some territory from Austria. In this way, Hungary will definitely not have any objections. For Germany, this is a territorial exchange. , it is also more decent, and Germany’s own vested interests have not been lost.”

Giovanni pointed to South Tyrol.